With nothing to lose Kevin Harvick has everything to gain this weekend.
No, Harvick has never won a championship in NASCAR top touring series but you wouldn’t know it from what he has said throughout this week. Of the three it’s quick to see that Harvick is the most relaxed of them all.
Sitting 46 points back in a winner take all you would think nerves would get the best of him. That is not the case for Harvick who is ready to do whatever it takes to win Richard Childress and Richard Childress Racing its first title since the late Dale Earnhardt.
“I know what my approach will be…do what it takes to win your team a championship, so whatever it takes” said Harvick during media availability in Miami.
That’s the same exact attitude Harvick has had all year. Do whatever it takes to win a race, get a good finish and now win a title.
After a lug nut penalty at Phoenix, Harvick was forced to play offense and hope for no late race caution.
While Hamlin and Johnson ran top 10 Harvick was back in traffic as the laps round down. With Hamlin being forced to pit under green, Harvick capitalized and kept his title hopes alive.
After the race Harvick spoke about it, "We just kept after it and wound up getting an OK day. I didn't ever know that it would come down to the last race and I guess its 46 points ... but that's what we race for. An hour ago I would have told you we were done.”
No, Harvick and his team are far from done. While Denny Hamlin and Jimmie Johnson have been in the spotlight all week, Harvick like he has done all season is lurking.
Johnson talked about pressure and how Hamlin carries the most. Hamlin having Johnson just 17 points off the lead and Harvick 47 points behind.
Johnson acknowledged he is well aware that Harvick is in the cat bird seat if with Johnson or Hamlin has issues.
Harvick has the best average finish at Homestead Miami Speedway of 8.4. He doesn’t have a win at HMS, but four top fives and seven top 10’s there.
He has no control over what happens on Sunday or what Hamlin and Johnson do. What he can control is focusing on the goal and that is win big.
Harvick scenarios to clinch are far more complicated then his competitors, but that doesn’t mean a thing to Harvick and his crew. The team is focused and ready to get the job done on Sunday.
After mile 400 on Sunday, RCR and Harvick could be hoisting the championship trophy after a long, hard season.
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